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How Republicans and Democrats differ when it comes to national security

Posted: 10:37 AM, Sep 10, 2018

Updated:2018-09-10 14:45:16Z

By:
Corey Rangel

Republicans and Democrats agree cybersecurity is now the biggest threat to our national security. However, the parties differ on whether the country is more secure under this administration.

Just last week, the head of Homeland Security warned cyberattacks are now the biggest threat to the United States.

“DHS was founded fifteen years ago to prevent another 9/11; I believe an attack of that magnitude is now more likely to reach us online than on an airplane,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen.

It’s an issue that lawmakers can agree on.

“We don't know where these hackers are, we don't know what they're up to, but we do know they're trying to attack us on our elections; they're trying to attack our electricity grid,” says John Feehery, a Republic strategist.

While cybersecurity might currently be the most pressing national security issue, other threats remain, and Democrats argue some of President Trump's policies are making the country less secure.

“I think it makes us less safe when we have a president who is weakening our alliances, who seems to kowtow to a hostile foreign actor, which is Russia and Putin that certainly puts us at risk and at danger,” says Democratic strategist Karen Finney.

But Republicans argue the president has done a good job at keeping the country safe.

“ISIS is on the run; he's trying to figure out a way to bring North Korea to the table in creative ways which I think is very useful,” says Feehery.

And both sides believe, while national security is important, it's just one topic of a long list of issues driving people to the polls in November.

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